Method for contacting gaseous material with finely divided solids



Jan. 5, 1954 6 B. v. MOLSTEDT 2,664,967

METHOD FOR CONTACTING GASEIOUS MATERIAL WITH FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS Filed March 13, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l i i l i l l m 1O l I Fl C: .'i

baron. V. molsia'db {inventor lbs 1,012 CLbborrzegS n- 1 B. v. MOLSTEDT 7 METHOD FOR CONTACTING GASEOUS MATERIAL WITH FINELY DIVIDE'D SOLIDS Filed March 15, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zia 1'2 Zia bgron V. molstta t Savaabor 1954 B. v. MOLSTEDT 67 METHOD FOR CONTACTING GASEOUS MATERIAL WITH FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS Filed March 15, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s 238F012 V. molsiedb Unv exzbor Jan. 5, 1954 B. v. MOLSTEDT 2,664,967

. METHOD FOR CONTACTING GASEOUS MATERIAL WITH FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS Filed March 13, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ii l L FI.-4

@gron V. molstedt Saverzbor b5 W clbborrzeg Patented Jan. 5, 1954 METHOD FOR CONTACTING GASEOUS MA- TERIAL WITH FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS Byron V. Molstedt, Baton Rouge, La., assignor to Standard Oil Development Company, a corporation of Delaware Application March 13, 1950, Serial No. 149,236

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method for contacting vapors and/or gases with fluidized, finely divided solid materials, and particularly for the charging, or the renewing of the charge of a contacting vessel normally employed for such purposes. More particularly, the invention relates to such a method when employed in conjunction with a system in which vapors and/or gases are passed upwardly through a series of superimposed contact chambers or zones in a contacting vessel, while fluidized, finely divided solid materials are passed downwardly'in countercurrent relation to the ascending vapors or gases. Still more specifically, the invention is directed toward an operation for the more efficient segregation of normally gaseous hydrocarbons, as, for example, ethane, from other normally gaseous hydrocarbons such as propane, butane, and the like, wherein a finely divided, selectively adsorbent solid material such as carbon is em ployed. In such a system, the downflowing solid materials are introduced in a fluidized condition, and normally are intended to be maintained in such fluidized condition, during passage downwardly through a contacting vessel, by the ascending vapors or gases. The feed rates of the gaseous and solid materials in such a system, as well as the velocity of flow are so adjusted that the solid particles are fluidized and flow like a liquid.

With further particularity, the invention relates to the method when employed in conjunction with an installationin which the contacting vessel is substantially equivalent to a bubble tray column, including a series of vertically spaced, perforate, transverse plate elements, downcomers from plate to plate, and weirs at the upper end of each downcomer to maintain a predetermined depth of fluidized solid materials on each plate with a vapor space above. Bubble caps may or may not be associated with the perforations in the respective plate elements.

In such a system, difficulty is experienced in charging or loading the contacting vessel with finely divided solid materials. Such difiiculty may be due to the fact that when a fluidized stream of solid materials is initially introduced by way of the normal operating means of ingress to the vessel, the fluldizing gas in the incoming stream of solids may be substantially lost at the level of introduction, while vapors and/or gases, separately introduced and to be contacted with the solids, and also to maintain fluidization thereof, may be bypassed through the unsealed downcomers at and below the level of solids introduction. As a result, the solid materials tend to settle and pack at the initial point of introduction, blocking the inlet at that level and preventing further flow of solids into the vessel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for contacting gaseous materials with finely divided solids, and in such a system, to overcome difficulty in initiating process flow. It is also an object of the invention to provide for the charging of a contacting vessel, and initiation of normal countercurrent process flow therethrough, without substantial loss of fluidity of the solid materials during the charging operation. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method whereby the normal operating level in one or more contacting chambers or zones, and the operating characteristics thereof, may be restored whenever adversely affected by upset conditions therein.

The invention and its objects may be more fully understood from the following description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a semi-diagrammatic illustration showing a typical contacting vessel in vertical section including one means for charging the vessel with finely divided solid materials according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar showing illustrating another means for introducing the vessel charge, as well as means for restoring the normal operating level and operating characteristics of any one or more of the respective contacting chambers or zones in a contacting'vessel;

Fig. 3 is a similar showing illustrating another form of the invention;

Fig. 4 in similar fashion illustrates an additional adaptation of the method; and

Fig. 5 is a similar showing more specifically illustrating the application of the invention to a continuous gas adsorption system.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings in which like parts are designated by the same numerals, the numeral l designates a bubble tray column, contacting vessel. The vessel l is conventionally provided with a series of vertically spaced, transverse, perforate plate elements 2, forming a vertical-series of superimposed, contact chambers or zones. These chambers or zones are in communication one with another by way of the passageways 4 formed by the plate perforations, and downcomers 5 disposed at alternate sides of the vessel from plate to plate. The downcomers extend from the surface of one plate downwardly into vertically spaced relation to the surface of the plate next below. As shown in Fig. l, the passageways 4 through the plates are each provided with bubble cap elements 6. In addition, each plate 2 is provided with a weir member I, at the entrance to the downcomer 5, extending upwardly from the plate surface to a level above the lower end of the downcomer from the plate next above. The vessel is also provided with an'inlet pipe- Il for-fluidized solidmaterialsextending into the upper end "ofthevescekand terminating in spaced relation to the uppermost plate 2, below the upper end of the weir I for.

that plate. An outlet from the vessel for gaseous materials is provided as by' cond-uit-* 91" At 'tlie divided solid materials, andgan inlet; I I- for 'gass eous materials to be passed through-thesvesselr;

Exteriorly of the vessel I, a charging line I2 communicates at one end withthe outlet line, III.

and at the other end with a receiverorstorage bin I3 for finely divided solid materials The I6- as may be required tomaihtain the finely divided solid materials contained therein in a substantially fluidized condition. Suitable control valves Illa and In are provided inthe conduits Ill and I2 respectively H In the apparatus, asillustratedin Fig. 2, the conduit I2 is connected tothe lower endofa standpipe conduit ZIL- Aerationtaps 2Ia. are provided as required-tomaintain thefluidityot a column of finely divided-solid materials in the standpipe. The standpiper-itself may be connected to any suitable source of supply for finely divided solid materials such as a hopper 22 which, if desired, may' also provide the source for the normal feed of flnely divided: solids to the vessel I, as bytmeans ofthe line8. Suitable control valves 8a and 2 lb areprovided' the-respective lines 8 and ZI. Inadditiontothevconduit connection betweenthe line I2 and? the standpipe 2|, the standpipe is also connected by way of lines 23', and control valves 23a", to

each contact chamber 3 in the-vessel I. The outlet of each of the lines--23-'--opensinto the chamber at a level slightly above the-plates 2, and above the lower end-of the-downcomers but below the upper level of the weirmembers'.

Aeration taps 23bsmaybeprovided to maintain fluidity of timely divided; solid materials-1 passed through these conduitsr Under-certainconditions, conduits 23 may3bearranged sozas' to 'discharge directly into eachrof the downcomers' 5, above the lower ends thereofr;

In the apparatus illustrated by 3, the vessel I is connected by wayfof'the conduit- I0 for discharge of finely divided solid-material's to a receiver vessel 3|; which the finely di' vided solid materials; normally dischargedfrom the vessel I, may be-maintained-as a body-90f such materialshaving-a level -therein, asi-in'dicated at X, with a freespace-inthe-upperportion Of the receiver above suchlevel. An outlet forsolid materials from ,the receiver 31 isprovided by way of the conduit line-=32f including a control valve 326. A valve'd conduit line'--33 provides for the-introduction of 'ga-seo'u's ma:- terials into the receiver' 3I,--and a conduit line 34, provided with avalve 34a; for-the discharge from the receiver'of gaseous material introduced by way of the line 33'f or with solid materials entering by way of conduit I0." Additionalsolid materials may be supplied ltd the. receiver 3 I by :solid materials such as the receiver I3 of Fig. 1

shown, or a standpipe, such as 2I of Fig. 2.

Inzndrnialoperatin of the contacting vessel as'repre'sentedin' Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it is first chargedwith fluidized, finely divided solid materials so as to pro vide a bed of such materials ineach contacting chamber or zone. This bed of materials in each chamber will have a fluidi'zd level at approximately the height of the weir-element I, and cover the lower end of each downcomer 5. This level is indicated in the drawings by dotted lines designated .Y, and: the small-arrows indicate-the-normal process flow or the fluidized solidmaterials through the vessel. Normalprocess flow-through the vessel is maintained by introducing additional quantities offluidized solidmaterials by. way of the inlet pipe 8,'the lower end of which opens above the uppermost-plate 2 in the vessel, below the level Y of-solid materials -to be maintained thereon. Fluidization of the-bed of solid materials on each plate is maintained'bythe'flow ofgases or vapors to be contacted-withthe solid materials, and introduced 'into the vessel by way of theconduit II These" gasesor vapors pass' upwardly through thevessel, through-each zone, by way ofthe passageways 4- in' 'eachplate element 2 and, where employed, the bubble cap elements 6 The gaseous materials are'contaoted' with the bedof finely divided solid: materials ori-each plate andginthe process;ymaintain-fluidization of thebedp Additional: solids. introduced byway of the conduit-By'being ina fluidized" condition; andthereby simulatingthe character of a liquid, produce a flow of; fluidized 'solids across the plates; over the weirs l, and'downwardly through the downcomers5 from plate-to-plate' throughthe vessel; as indicated'byarrows .inthe drawings. The fluidized solid materials may be removed fromtheyessel from the lowerm'ostplate in any series of plates as by way of the conduit Il. As previously :stated, however, themain problem involves the-initialcharging. ofthe vessel, and the individual; plates; so as to prevent bypassing of the gaseous material's entering from line" H through the: dovmcomer' elements inpreference to-the passageways" 4 during the charging operation; According to-the=present invention, thisls accomplished by the proper: employment of the apparatusnowshown "and described.

In the operation according "to "the' present invention; and with particular reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings,- :valves* 8a'-and'= Illa are closed, and'theva-lve- Happened. By exerting: a suitable pressure" on-the-solid" materials inthe vessel I3, by way ofthe 'pressuri'zing line I5, the fluidized solid materials contained in the storage bin or receiver 'I3 'are forced through'the line I2 into the" line I0 and upwardlytherethroughinto the -vessel I. Continuing' this introduction of fluidized solid "materials, the. entire vessel may beflooded'frombottom.totop. During the introduction of=solid materials through. the line I0, gaseous materials, and preferably an inert gas, is introducedthrough the normal feed line I I. As each chamber orzmieis flooded. thefluidity of the solid materials therein is maintained by the passage of the gaseous materials introduced by line II through the total mass of solid materials in the flooded chamber. As charging continues in this fashion, each chamber is flooded in turn with a fluidized body of finely divided solid material. The fluidizing gases introduced by way of line I I are permitted to escape through the conduit 9 opening from the upper portion of the vessel. During this charging operation, additional gaseous materials for fluidizing the incoming solid materials may be introduced by way of aeration taps I6. Also, if required, additional solids may be added to the storage bin I3 by way of the valved line I4.

When the vessel I has been substantially filled with fluidized, finely divided solid materials, at least to the level Y on the uppermost plate 2, the valve I2a is closed, and valves [Ba and 8a opened substantially simultaneously. A normal flow of fluidized solid materials may be then initiated by way of. the line B into the vessel, and by way of the line I0 from the vessel. At substantially thesame time,the normal process flow of gaseous materials which are to be contacted with the finely divided solid materials in the vessel, may be initiated by way of line II. Immediately following the initiation of normal process flow, the Withdrawal of solids from the vessel by way of line III is regulated so as to remove the excess solid materials introduced for the purpose of flooding and charging the vessel. When the level of the material in each chamber has been reduced to the normal process level, normal process flow of solid materials into and out of the vessel is restored. The means and the steps for controlling flow of either the fluidized, finely divided solids or the gaseous process materials to be contacted therewith are generally conventional, and need not be illustrated or described in connection with this invention.

In the employment of the apparatus illustrated by Fig. 2, the operational steps for charging the vessel I by way of the lines I2 and I0 may be substantially the same as described with reference to Fig. 1. The initial charge of finely divided, fluidized solid material passes from the standpipe 2I through the valve I2a into the line I2 and thence into lineIIl under the fluistatic pressure of the column of materials contained in the standpipe. When the vessel I has been flooded, the valve I2a is closed and valves IIla and 8a opened to initiate normal process flow of fluidized solid materials in the same manner as described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the standpipe 2Ia is supplied from a hopper or storage bin 22 normally employed to supply the material required for normal process flow through the column by Way of line 8. Such connection and method for supplying fluidized solid materials to the standpipe 2| is optional, however, and the standpipe may be supplied from any suitable source.

In addition, the apparatus illustrated by Fig. 2 provides means for an operating procedure not shown in the apparatus illustrated by Fig. 1. In normal operation of the system, a sudden surge of process gas or vapors within the vessel, or from line II, may so displace the normal bed of fluidized solids on one or more of the plate elements 2, as to uncover the lower end of a related downcomer element 5. If this occurs, and the downcomer seal is broken, the process gas or'vapor may bypass the bed of solids on the next plate above by way of the uncovered downcomer. With such plate bypassed, the bed of solids thereon may lose fluidity sufliciently to interfere with normal process flow of solids through the vessel. Under such circumstances, it is contemplated that normal process conditions may be restored to any affected plate by admission of any, required quantity of fluidized solid material to such plate from a line 2I by way of a connecting conduit 23. In addition, the conduits 23provide an auxiliary or alternate means for initially charging the vessel. In such instance, with the valve In closed, the valves 23a may be opened so as to simultaneously introduce a sufficient quantity of finely divided solid material from the standpipe 21 onto each plate 2 as to seal the downcomers 5 and establish the required operating level of finely divided solid materials. Durin such introduction of the solid materials, gas flow may be initiated through the line II so as to avoid settling or packing of the solid materials, entering from the lines 23, as a result of losing the gaseous, fluidizing medium contained in the entering stream. Under certain circumstances'it may also be desirable to simultaneously commence flow of finely divided solid material into the vessel by way of conduit 3 during the charging step. As soon as each plate has been charged to its proper level, flow through the lines 23 may be stopped by closing valves 230;, and the normal process flow provided entirely by introduction of fluidized solid material by way of theline 8.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 3 illustrates a further application of the method to another type or" process operation. In this modification of the invention, the finely divided materials discharged from the vessel I normally are led into a receiver 3! by Way of the line II and permitted to accumulate therein to a substantial degree, excess solids being withdrawn by Way of conduit 32. The accumulation of solids in receiver 3i may be maintained in a fluidized condition by introduction ofa gaseous or vaporous material through the line 33. Vapor flow through the vessel3I is maintained by release of the gaseous material in trod-uced through the valve 34a and line 34. As previously noted, additional solid materials may be supplied to the receiver 3I by way of the valved line 35.

When, for any reason, it is necessary to charge or recharge the vessel I, the finely divided solid material contained in the vessel 3|, or a new charge of such material introduced thereto by way of line 35, may be forced to reverse normal flow through the vessel by closing or partially closing the valve 34a, while continuing to introduce a pressurized gaseous material through the line 33. In this Way, a pressure may be built up in the vessel 3I sufficient to force the fluidized material upwardly through the line It into the vessel I. The introduction or re-introduction of fluidized material may be thus continued until the column I has been flooded in much the same fashion as described in conjunction with the operation of theapparatus as shown in Fig. 1. When the charging or flooding has been completed, the normal process flow may be restored by re-opening the valves 33a and 32a, and reducing the pressure on the vessel 3I to such extent as to create a pressure differential between the vessel 3I and the stream of fluidized, finely divided solid materials contained in the line It, and in the vessel I. During normal process flow, solid ma terials -may be continuously removed from the vessel 3| by Way of the line 32 and valve 32a. The

system ca -illustrated by Figi. 3: is :espeoi'ally= suit ablewhere the: finely divided solid material: is an adsorbent-'inatenat'such as charcoalo'and' "the vessel 1| is: employed in. the normal process operation 'as a stripper in which-adsorbed materials may be: stripped; as: bythe-introduction of: steam by wayof conduit 33;

The: 1 reverse flow charging: method; as illustrated by Fig;- 4-, contemplates the employment of agaseous materiel, introduced in :normal. process flow through-thetlinel I I as a' carrier and: fluidizing agent for 'alchargeiofi'finely divided solid 'materlalszsuchf as may normally be. introduced by way orlttheiconduits'. According to the charging method contemplated', the valves Ba -and I (la-are closedzandieistream of gaseous material, preferalillyaninlert gassuchwas a flue gas, is passed through the: line lli' into-the vessel land-discharged therefromby way ofthe line-9. Astream of: fluidized solid materials-is then. introduced into: the. line-.- H and carried 'ther'etlirough by the stream of gaseous material into the vessel '1'. Ass shown inFig: 4, the stream" of? fluidized solid materials may be derived from a pressurized storage bin 'or'hopper l3, as shown intlii's figure, and in- Figl, which is: connectedto' the line-H by wayof the conduit 41 and"valve li'a; Alternately, theline ll maybe-connected-into a; standpipe such as the standpipel I of Fig 2 in substantially the same mannerasis'the'line' I2-shown in Fig; 2, or the line 41 may be connected to any other suitable source of supply for finely" dividedsolid material; In thev charging method thus provided, the finely, divided solid materials are introduced into' the vessel I. ma substantially dispersed phase-,ascompared with the introduction of such materials byway on the solids: discharge conduit I orthe conduit connec'tions 231 Therefore, it. isnecessary that .the. introduction of sol-id's be controlled in such fashion that; 'upon completion 01* the charging step andinitiation of normal process how through thei column; settling of the dispersed materials; introduced will not'result in a loss of downcomer seals; This possibility may be substantially avoided by introducing a quantity of solid material atileastzequal to,- and preferably in excess of, the sum of that-normally required by each plate in order toimaintain an op erating level thereon. The desired resultm'ay also-be insured-by continuing introduction of solid materials'thr'ough thelline' llfora suitable period after' initiationpf process: flow through the conduits 8 and'lfli Whenthe severalplate's have; been suitably charged inthi's-f'a'shion, the flow-oi solid-materialsthrough the line H may becut offby closing the valve llwand-the fl'ow of process gases-'and/or vapors initiatedor continued through :the'line. l I:

As has been indicated, the/chargingvessel or source of supply-such as the vessel M ma-y be either an auxiliary vesselr specifically provided for that purpose. or another process'avesselsuch as the hopper 22. Inmost=instancesat positive pressure differential of anywhere from 2 to p.- s i. g. will be required to cause solids to flow from the charging vesselintothe contacting'vessel'. Where a pressurized charging vessel is not employed, such press-uresmaybe obtained byproducing' a. fiuistatic head in a column: of materials,- as byempl'oyment of a standpipe. such-as the standpipez'l" ofiFig. 2. Thepressures applied, as well as the density of. the materialintro'duced; may vary widely according to thetypeand nature or'the solid materials handled, and. the nature of the normal process operation.

REIGIYHITQLIW Figc' 53 thedxwemiomwm be n scribed; ior punpows or exampt onlygwitm'refl er'encrr to aiprocess i'o'r the sepmuon of (3 and Cs hydrocarbons; :from': ammoor Gi to Ca+ andlightergaseous cornponentm 1 by? Emm 0fchar'co'ai adsorption: Numeral 5 r represents an adsorption tower orvesseli provided ln descemh ing order -wi th a tail gag remov'al line if," an uppermo'st disengagihgsection 53, an adsorption 54, agushed-lim ts, a-rectrncationgsec tion 55 comprising a deummamcingmmfl and ade-etlia'fiizlng" zone flz a-cs vapor removarilne 59 g a C+vapor--rernova'l llxie a' desorbelf heater sectio'n 1H a steam entry-linen: aud o solids withdrawal linilfl- Internally, the 've'ss'el and esci-1 section:therein, is divided into a verticalsemes er contacting chambers or zones by means ofi a p'lurality 'ot verticallyspaced -transverse-perforate plate elements-2 arran'ged ina manner similar twthat shown in -1=ig. 1, and' including downcomer 'ele ments Sand -vveirsTJ As-desired-,-'tlie assageways 4 formed by' tlieplate perforations may be provided with bubble-cap elements, such has: elements 6 of Fig; l'. l In 'addition,-"a cyclone, or centrifugal-separator"- 64* in the dise'ngaga'ng section 53 i's-connectetl' at on en'd totlie conduit Sfijarid attl'ie other end t'o a extended down: wardl y into the ve'ssell He'et exchan'ge' means such as-' coolinglcoil 65 and heatlng-coll 66 are provided 'in -th '-'ad'sorptieriand heating-seem respectively.

Exteriorl'y of the vessel-, th conduit 5? is con' nested-by wayof a branch condeit' li? and pump 68 to a solids transfr'conduif 092 This conduit is provided with sultan-e valves iw-and 696, 'lo= cat'eid in the lime' at opposite' sides 01- theconrrew tion thereto-of thesollds dtirwofi'line531 Beyond the connection -witli 'line 63, tli6 conduit '69 opens into a cooling-zona contained 'coolerflllihnd a dischargeconduit H -=communicates -between the cooler 10 and the-disengaging se'otion' fl of vessel-5| The apparatus as -set' forth 'above, issupple mented by a-cha'rging' line flfopening -intd con dui't 63$' and 'provided' wiitli valve T2'a.- Similar connections may be made to the conduits Hind 6-2, asby means; 01 charging 'lin'es'W' and "Fre spectiyely; provided 'with valves 13d ancl "Mir. Thechargrn'g 'lin's a's shown-maybeconnected to any suitable 'source-oFsdlids' supply" as shown and described in-Fig's 1, 2 and -4 respectively.

In an ,1 operation i employing th apparatuswf Fig." 5,- the feed gas -comprlsing a mixture of metha'rid' C; Ca" and heavier" hydrocarbonsjand less adsorbable gases 'such as'nitrogenand hydrogen-is introduced under pressur into the adsorption :vessel 3 I' via; line 55 ata point betweenthe adsorption section and -the rectiflcatiomsectibn. Alliiidiz edmass 'of-finely dividedchari'ed organic material, suchtas e-charcoaladsorbent, cooled to approxirnately ilBll Ff to 200 F. is" introduced int'o' tlie top of the. adsorption section of me vessel, at the disengaging sectiohyvia -line !l3 The fluidized adsorbent passes down the vessel from plate to plate at'such-a rate that substan tially all the Czand heavier' hydrocarbons are selectively adsorbedon the adsorbentlwithin the adsorption section while themethaneand lighter components, e. g., nitrogen and hydrogen, pass overhead via cyclone- Gkand leave the vessel via line--52; Entrained charco'al is returned from cyclone- 64 to the--vessel via' dip-leg tla. The adsorbent material passes down the vessel into the rectificationsection 56' below the feed point. r

' In the upper part of the rectification section, i. e., in the de-methanizing zone 51, any methane, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc. which may have remained on the adsorbent as it passes down through the vessel are desorbed by the action of the refluxed Cz-lhydrocarbon vapors, which have been desorbed in the lower part of the rectification section, due to the more selective action of the charcoal for the heavier hydrocarbons. The displaced materials flow upwardly past the gas feed line 55 into the adsorber section and are eventually withdrawn from the system via line 52.

In the lower area of the rectification section 56, the adsorbent is refluxed with the heavier components of the hydrocarbon feed, for example the Cs-lhydrocarbons similarly released in the lower section of the tower by the action of the desorber, whereby the desorption of the C2 hydrocarbons is brought about. The C2 hydrocarbons containing small equilibrium quantities of 103+ hydrocarbons are removed in controlled amounts as a vapor stream from a point near the. center of the rectification section via line 59 at a tem-, perature of about 240 F. The material thus withdrawn provides a very desirable feed material for a subsequent alkylation process.

The charcoal substantially free of C2 and lighter components passes from the lowermost area of the rectification section 56 into the desorber 6!. In the desorber the desorption of the C3+ hydrocarbons is accomplished by means of heat supplied indirectly to the enriched charcoal by suitable heating means such as by condensation of high-boiling liquid, by hot fiue gas, etc. The action of the heat together with the stripping action of steam introduced via line 6-2 disengages the C2+ hydrocarbons from the adsorbent and they pass upwardly through the desorber section with the product portion taken out through line 60, at a temperature of about 350 F. and the remaining portion returned as reflux vapor to the bottom of the rectification section 55. The C3+ product stream contains appreciable amounts of water vapor which may be panding the rectifier section and removing, in

addition to a more concentrated C3 product, heavier hydrocarbons such as 04 and C5 side streams at lower points in the rectifier section. The major component of each additional sidestream would be contaminated chiefly with small equilibrium quantities of heavier material.

The hot stripped charcoal from the desorberheater 5! at a temperature of about500 F. is led via line 63 and gas lift line 69 to-acooling zone H1 in which the charcoal is partially cooled to a temperature in the range of 160 F. to 200 F., which does not a proach too closely that of the water (90-1l0 F.) employed in the cooler. The partially cooled charcoal enters the top of the disengaging section 53 via line H. In the disengaging section, recycled tail gas from line 52, through line 6'! and pump68, employed as lift gas, plus the net tail gas overhead from the adsorption zone are removed via line 52 while the charcoal descend into the vessel. The tail gas emerging from the adsorption vessel via line 52 is removed in part as net product to atail gas water scrubber or filter, not illustrated, where the remaining entrained charcoal of fine particle size is removed therefrom.

1 The finely divided charcoal removed from the bottom of the vessel 5| by way of the line 63 is introduced into the transfer line 69 and'a portion of the tail gas in line 52 is removed via line 61, repressured by blower 69 and employed as lift gas via line 69 to carry the desorbed hot charcoal through the cooling zone In and back into the adsorption tower. An extension 25 of conduit 63 provides for draining solids from the system and is provided with a valve 75a. The remaining charcoal cooling may be carried out in the adsorption section of the tower, as by one or more heat exchange coils 65, immediately above the point of feed entry where the bulk of the heavy (03+) material is adsorbed. The temperature of the adsorbent leaving the adsorption section is maintained at about 200 P. which corresponds to the temperature which would be reached at this point when cooling only in the cooler with the exit charcoaltempcrature closely approaching that of the cooling water. A typical operationof-the system described may be carried out" at pressures of from 4 to 7 atmospheres, employ-' ing a feed gas supplied to the vessel at a temperature of about 120 F. The gas may be one derived from a refining operation and have a composition substantially as follows:

Components: Percentage Inert gas 26.1 CH4 20.7 C2I-I4 19.4 CzI-Is 18.1 CsHe 9.9 CsHs 5.4 (34+ 0.4

To initiate the operation set forth, the several plates of the vessel 5| must be charged with the fluidized, finely divided, solid adsorbent material. For this purpose, the fluidized, finely divided, solid adsorbent material may be introduced in a manner similar to that set forth with reference to Fig. 1. The valves 69a, 69b and 150. being closed, and the valves 53a and 12a being opened, the fluidized,-finely divided, solids may be forced into the line 63 and upwardly therethroughinto the vessel. At the same time, a fluidizing gas may be introduced, by way of the line 62, into the bottom of the vessel, and, if desired, by way of line 55 also, so as to maintain the fluidity of the introduced solids permitting them to flow upwardly through the vessel from plate to plate, primarily by way of the downcomers 5. This procedure is continued until the vessel has been flooded to a level approximating that of the uppermost weir l in the vessel, and covering or sealing the, lower end of the dip-leg 64a and the conduit ll. At that time, the valve 12a is closed and valve a opened so as to partially drain fluidized solids from the vessel 5| by way of conduits 63 and 75, leaving a normal process level of fluidized solids on each plate 2 in the vessel at approximately the level of the weir members thereof, and sealing the lower end of each downcomer 5. Valves 15a and 63a are then closed, and valves 69!; and 5% opened, and normal process flow of gaseous materials initiated by way of conduits 62 and 55. At substantially the same time, normal process flow of a portion of the tail gas leaving the vessel by way of conduit 52 may be initiated through the branch conduit 67, pump 68, and conduit 69 and a controlled flow of solids then initiated through valve 63a and conduit 63 for circulation of the solids through conduit E9,

1! cooler 'lb, andconduit TL Inestablishins= the total volume of fluidizedi solid: materials to be. retained in=the system aftenthe-initlal charglng: step,'- allowanceis made -for-the-vo1ume :01"- such material: required 1 bythe: recirculation conduits- Stand-1 l aswell as thecooler 10;:

As an: alternate-to the: charging-step setzforth above, finely divided; fluidized, solid materials: may be=intrduced 'into the towerin a -di'spersed-i phase in-substantially the manner-described with reference =t0 Fig; 4,- by way of either or both" the: feed .lines:55* and; 62 "for gaseous materials, from-- theiconduits 113. and iH- lrespectively: In addition; the-vessel .5l .may be provided for introduction of 1 solid: materials: in substantially themanner shownanddescribed with reference-to Fig: 2;

Inuaddition: to its :suitable' employment in an-- adsorption process; as describedwith'reference to" mriithejnventionisgenerally-applfcabletoany process dnsxwhichia fluidized-, finely d-ivided; solid matetialxis: passed downwardly -through a contasting: vessel in" countercurr mlation" to a." gaseonsmaterialiriowing upwardly therethrough': Other; processes :mayrincludethe: synthesis oi hydrocarbons from carbon monoxideandhydro fimiaspby contacting:the lattenmaterialswith an fluidized, finely divided, solld material such as ir0n. a.nd, coba1t; the reduction of loeneiicianon-act1v ores, as in contacting fluidized, finelyrdivided, metallic materials with oxygen or a gasn'ich in oxygen, or with other suitable materials in'gaseoils or vaporous form; the polymerization-of olefinic hydrocarbon materials by contact. with suitable solid polymerization catalysts; as well as..hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, alkylation, isomerization, etc.

A further example of such employment of the invention is in conjunction witha processrfor catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in the. presence ofafiuidizedj finelydiVided, cracking. catalyst In =such a process, the feed material maybe a; gas oil'fboiling inithe range ,of [from about 400 'Fxto WOO-F. and higher, supplied .to the contacting column as a'vapor, and contacted with a suitablecatalyst of which a majojrportion hasla' particle size 0f-from about 10to about 150 microns.- Suitable-catalyst materials maybeqselected ifr'om' meterials-such as acid activated bentonite -clays; synthetic gels containing, silica amt alumina, or silica and magnesia, and other.

well-known: cracking-catalyst materials: Temr. peratures employed in such a .process may .bein therange of: from aboutZOO 'F. 'toaboutlflfifli andrpressuresin-the range -,of from substantially atmospheric-pressure;toabout 50 p, s.,-,i..g., all as, WEHikhOWII-tO-thOSB skilledin-the art- In initiatin :operatiomof the processes. asde: scribed; the density "of the solids handled..may range-from about 055 *pound per cubic, foot," to about 40 pounds :percubic root, dependingrupon whether-tli'e-material is being introducedlinga densegor dispersedphase: Where, as illustrated by Fig:14,=' the soli'dmaterials are to be introduced in; theedispersed -phase,-the velo city oi the aseous transfer-medium passed;:through' the line 4 I may be as high as'10 -'to ,feet persecondfor smooth operationr Although most particular-1y describedcw-ith ref-1 erence 'to the charging ,step, involved the-:invem tion: further contemplates a, step-wise: process operation involving a sequence of-- steps as. in either rocedure out-linedJoelow r Procedure A 1. Aiilil dizedpfinelyrdivided, selidzproccssmae 12 terialils; introducediintor azcontactinguvesseliby generally: upward-i flow; 5041s :to =10ad' each' 01 a seriessoftransverse-plates therein withzfluidizedi solidzmaterial to a level at'least above the lower ends.= 0f. thedowncomers toeach' plate; while maintainingpa continuous flow of a gaseous-material npwardlythrouglr-the plates and the vessel, maintaining: fluidityot the solids introduced.

2;: Upon". loadingof f the platesto the desired I level; introduction of -solids: according to step' 1 isdlscontinuedn 3'. The -normal SprOCBSSP flow -of solid materials downwardly into the vessel is then begun.

4i Simultaneously: or. consecutively beginning normaliprocess now. of "a gaseous "material; to be contactediwith thesolids; upwardly: through the vessel.

5; Thenuwithdrawing.solids from the-'vesselin normal; processnow; but at an accelerated" rate; untitithesrequired: plate levelshave beenestab li'shedi.

l. A' fluidized; finely divided, solid'process ma. terial is introducedinto a, contacting vessel,, by. generally upwardly flow, so .as to.loa.d each of. a. series of "transverse plates,therein witli fluidized, solid material to;a level ;at'least abovethe lower ends of the downcomers ,to each. plate, ,whiler maintaininga; continuous filowotQa gaseous ma, terial upwardly through th'eplates and the vessel; maintainingfiuiditypf the solids introduced.-

ZILUDO L loadingpf the plates, to the. desired. level,- introduction of solidsaccording tostep 1 .is, discontinued.

3i Withdrawing; excess solids from the-vessel. downwardlywhile continuing upwardflow of the. fluidizingi aseous material;..

4: Simultaneously or, consecutively, beginning normal processaflow ofa gaseous ,material, to .be contacted-with'the solids,: upwardly through the vessel:

5. Themwithdrawing sollds from the. vessel-in normal processflow, but at, an acceleratedrate, untilthe :requiredjplate, levels have .been establishedi;

In either procedure, the fluldizinggas introduced as in step and 2 maybe :the process material, or another material, preferably .an inert' gas; Likewise; pressures, densities, velocity flowtandotherconditions maybe normalprocess.

flow"conditionsmuringijhe stepsl .and 2, orlthey may be varied in anymannertoeobtain thedesired results; Also, thes0lids1introduced accordingto -step "1; may .be introduced in either ,a dis-- persed or dense phase, either:

(a) By "way of th'e normal-process outletfor solids from .thevessel;

(b) By-introduction. of lsolidsat each plate 10-.- cation imthe vessel;

(c)-'-By,amombination of..'either (a) .and (b) above;,,

(d-Z '-By ,'in.troduction ;as, a dispersed .phase ,by way or a; normal 'process..-inlet .for gaseous. ma? terial lntothe vessel ore (e)'-By av combination of, (a). (b). or, (c) with-(d);

1., Inc. process for contacting gaseous process. materials with fluidized, finely divided, solidmaterials-in a-series of superimposed, successively communicating" contacting zones defined by a vertically spaced series of perforated supporting means on which-said solid materials are maintained as fiuidized'beds' or substantially predetermined depth, and-= in -whlch process saidgaseous material is passed upwardly and said solid materials downwardly through said zones in countercurrent flow relation, the improvement which com rises the steps of initially introducing fluidized finely divided, solid material into substantially concurrent flow relation with a stream of gaseous material being passed upwardly through said series of zones, and charging the several zones in said series with a mass of solid material to a depth substantially in excess of the operating depth predetermined for said beds, then discontinuing introduction of said solid material in concurrent flow relation with said gaseous material, followed by the steps including initiating process now of said fluidized, finely divided, solid material downwardly through said zones and from zone to zone, and removing from the series of zones the solid material in excess of said predetermined operating denth of the bed in each zone.

2. A process according to claim 1, in which the solid material in excess of said predetermined operating depth of the bed in each zone is removed prior to initiating process flow of said solid material.

3. A process according to claim 1, in which said solid material is initially introduced as a plurality of individual streams of such material separately into each zone of said series of zones, charging all of said zones substantially simultaneously.

l. A process according to claim 1, in which said solid material is initially introduced as a single stream of such material into the lowermost zone in the series of superimposed zones, substantially filling the several zones thereof in upward succession.

5. A process according to claim 1, in which said solid material is initially introduced as a dispersal of such material in said stream of gaseous material passed upwardly through said zones.

6. A process according to claim 1 in which the solid material in excess of said predetermined operating depth of the bed in each zone is removed from said series of zones subsequent to initiating downward process flow of said solid material.

'7. A process according to claim 1 in which the steps of initiating process flow of said solid ma terial and removal of solid material in excess of said predetermined depth of the bed in each zone are accomplished substantially simultaneously, and in which the removal of said exces solid material is at a rate accelerated above downward process flow thereof through said zones.

8. In a process for contacting gaseous process material with fluidized, finely divided, solid materials, in a series ofsuperimposed, successively communicating, contacting zones defined by a vertically spaced series of perforated supporting means on which said solid materials are maintained as fluidized beds or substantially predetermined depth, and, in which process said gase eous material is passed upwardly and said solid materials downwardly through said zones in countercurrent flow relation, the improvement which comprises the steps of initially introducing fluidized, finely divided, olid material into substantially concurrentflow relation with a stream of a substantially inert, non-process, gaseous material being passed upwardly through said series of zones, and charging the several zones in said series with a mass of solid material to a depth substantially in excess of the operating depth predetermined for said beds, then discontinuing introduction of said solid material in concurrent flow relation with said gaseous material, and thereafter initiating process flow of said gaseous process material and fluidized, finely divided, solid material including the steps of passing said solid material from zone to zone downwardly through said series of zones, while passing the gaseous process material upwardly therethrough, and removing from said series of zones the solid material present in excess of said predetermined operating depth of the bed in each zone.

9. A process according to claim 8 in which the introduction of said substantially inert gaseous material is continued after initiating downward process flow of said finely divided, solid material and until the removal of said solid material in excess of said predetermined operating depth of the bed in each zone has been completed, and then initiating upward process flow of a gaseous process material to be contacted with said solid material.

BYRON V. MOLSTEDT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,270,903 Rudbach Jan. 27, 1942 2,444,990 Hemminger July 13, 1948 

